Saturday, March 13, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Sing in the Sunlight by Kathleen Denly

Book: Sing in the Sunlight

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian historical fiction

Release date: March 2, 2021

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

Click here to get your copy!

Historical Fiction is a favorite genre of mine and in Sing in the Sunlight,

Kathleen Denly takes us back to 1858. Sing in the Sunlight is Book 2 in

the Chaparral Hearts series. I was blessed to read Book 1 in the series

and I was very excited to be able to read the latest book in the series.

Clarinda Humphrey has lived her life behind a veil/mask She was a victim of a dog attack as a youngster, leaving her scars all over her face. She doesn't want to let her future be ruined and she attends The Young Ladies Seminary, Clarinda meets someone who she believes loves her for who she is. The relationship ended and Clarinda finds herself with child. Richard Stevens is on his way to San Francisco to discover whom he really is. He has found a letter that leads him to travel to San Francisco as he believes he has been lied to about who he really is. Along the way, he runs into Clarinda and he sees her without the Veil. He believes she is AMAZINGLY beautiful. Richard asks Godfor guidance in finding his perfect Bride and he believes Clarinda is the one. Clarinda isn't interested in a relationship, she just wants someone to help care for her child. Although, she has told people that she and Richard are married. Richard doesn't want a marriage of Convenience, he wants a real marriage. Will Clarinda allow Richard into her heart and find real love? Will Richard be able to show Clarinda that beauty is not only on the outside, but look inside for deep

love? Ohhh, the mystery is great. Grab a copy of the book to find out.

I was hooked on this book from the first Chapter. Clarinda spent so much of her life in hiding, and feels like a failure. She sees hope for the future and decides to let her veil down for love, but that love ends. She remains strong for her child and Richard comes along. Richard is an AMAZING character and his faith is really strong. He is also amazingly patient and kind, and really helps Clarinda come out of her shell even more. I also liked the Christian aspects of the book. Trusting God and forgiving the past and letting go, are very prominent in this book! A GREAT Love story!!

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

More from Kathleen

Hiding our Flaws

We all have things we’d like to change about our physical appearance. Personally, I’ve yet to lose the weight I gained with my last pregnancy and sitting behind a desk all day hasn’t helped things any. Despite this, I know that my husband, kids, family, friends, and most importantly, God, loves me just as much now as when I was my healthiest self. I want to lose the weight not because I need to earn someone’s approval but because I know I’ll feel better and be able to do more without tiring as quickly if I do. In the meantime, I’m okay with where I am because it’s the best I’ve been able to do so far.

This level of self-acceptance has come with maturity and the love of a godly man. When I was younger, I’d spend hours in front of the mirror trying to disguise my flaws beneath layers of makeup and stomach smoothers. In fact, one of the most memorable moments of my courtship with my now husband was the day I returned from a women’s retreat. I hadn’t gotten much sleep all weekend and we’d had to pack up and leave early, so I’d made the unusual decision to skip my makeup that morning. I was going to carpool back to the church, grab my car, and head home for a nap. What was the point in painting my face when the only people who’d see it were the women who’d seen me wake up bare-faced that morning anyway? Well, it turns out my now husband had missed me. So he was waiting in the church parking lot when we arrived, just to say hi before I went home. Sweet, right? Um yeah. At the time, part of me thought it was sweet, but more of me wanted to melt into the floor’s carpet and vanish from sight. I had ZERO makeup on, people! And I had bags under my eyes! *gasp* *shudder*

Needless to say, after almost nineteen years of marriage, he’s seen me a few times without my makeup on. Actually, these days, I only wear makeup for videos, photographs I intend to share online, special events, and (if the kids are nice to me that morning) church. Not that I don’t have my insecure moments or those photographs that friends share but I really wish they wouldn’t. (You know who you are.) But overall, I am okay with how I look because I know that I am loved and accepted.

However, in Sing in the Sunlight, my character, Clarinda, feels unloved, and unwanted by those closest to her. She describes parts of herself with words like hideous. She uses long sleeves, high necks, gloves, and veils to hide herself from a world that has rejected her. And she keeps almost everyone at arm’s length—especially God. So when she finally lets someone in, only to be betrayed, it sets off a series of desperate decisions that tangle her in a web from which she cannot find an escape. It’s my prayer that her story will touch readers’ hearts and show them how much they are loved—flaws and all.

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2
Simple Harvest Reads, March 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Texas Book-aholic, March 3
lakesidelivingsite, March 3
Inklings and notions, March 4
Genesis 5020, March 4
For Him and My Family, March 5
A Novel Pursuit, March 5
Betti Mace, March 6
deb’s Book Review, March 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 7
Labor Not in Vain, March 7
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 8
Connie’s History Classroom, March 9
The Meaderings of a Bookworm, March 9
Older & Smarter?, March 10
Adventures Of a Travelers Wife, March 11
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 11
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 12
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 12 (Author Interview)
KarenSueHadley, March 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 13
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 14
Blossoms and Blessings, March 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 15

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a Kindle Paperwhite, one bookish scarf, one pair of bookish socks, one bookish necklace, one Chaparral Hearts Pen, and one custom bookmark made and signed by Kathleen Denly!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1089f/sing-in-the-sunlight-celebration-tour-giveaway